I Claim Your Love novel Chapter 4

The shackles which bounded Einar eventually thawed. His complete demeanor was that of a brute, savage monster. He could feel blood rushing through the veins of the dragon. Whereas the dragon could not speculate what stood before him, he became a bit wobbly, a bit scared. The black mist surrounding Einar was getting stronger and larger. Einar scowled showing his canines with aggression; he slowly levitated his body and was in front of the dragon in no time. The dragon was in an attacking position, he was ready to fire his mighty flame but even before he could do that the mist clouded the dragon and circled its neck, constricting its supply of air. The dragon choked and whined painfully until he was forced to transform in his human form. Callan could not believe his eyeballs when he registered that the beast who had driven him crazy, attacked a boy brutally and was about to kill him for food or worst for his own amusement, was in fact a boy who must have been around sixteen or seventeen. How ironic was this, the boy in plain sight looked harmless and innocent but his other side was equally demonic and barbaric.

Einar got hold of the boy with his right hand. He was fuming in anger when he choked the boy's jugular.

"How dare you touch him!"

This voice was cold, deathly and certainly different than that of Einar. The hold through the boys neck was getting tighter as the dragon shifter struggled to release himself. The boy showed fear and defeat clearly in his eyes. Einar ascended his claws and with one swift move pulled out the insides of the boys trachea.

To say Callan was scared was an understatement, he was hugely terrified at the moment. Petrified from what he just saw. He had seen nothing like this in his entire existence.

What was it?

A shifter; a beast; a monster; or a supreme entity. Whatever it was, one thing was for sure that this thing saved his life. But was he really safe? Would Callan suffer the same fate as the boy? These thoughts scared him and his heart hammered in his chest. The rhythmic rise and fall of Callan's chest caught the attention of Einar, or what was supposed to be Einar.

He turned his gaze to Callan. He was transfixed at him. On the other hand all Callan could see was an entity approaching him without touching the ground. But somehow Callan was mesmerized with its aura; he awed the being in front of him. He felt safe. While Einar had a look of content and admiration on his face. He lowered himself and was fingertips away from Callan's lips and brushed his mouth momentarily.

The very next moment Einar was thrown back at a considerable distance in the air. He took a flight and crashed to a nearby tree trunk landing in bushes. Callan could not help but notice that it was the same power that sent Einar flying, the only difference being that the power was stronger and more magnetic.

It was the Alpha.

Ragnar shielded Callan and was in a defensive stance, whereas the other members of the pack watched the scenario unfold from a distance. When Einar woke up from the ground, he was himself. He was disoriented but quickly composed himself. He could see his father standing in front of the boy whereas a few pack members including some warriors had shock and fear written all over them. And all of them were watching Einar with horror.

"Are you okay son?" The Alpha inquired.

"I..I'm fine father. A bit dizzy though." Ragnar signaled his pack members to come and do their job. The warriors kept a safe distance from the Alpha's son when they were carrying the corpse. While a few of them attended Garrick and rushed him to the Alpha house.

"Hello son." Justus was calm but concern reflected his eyes.

"I'm going to pick you up now. It might pain a bit. Just hang on tight." Justus took a deep breath and lifted his son off the ground. The very slightest movement caused Callan great discomfort. He painfully groaned for every movement his father made. He gritted his teeth and shut his eyes tightly. He was in tears. This was not going too well with Einar who for some reason felt very uncomfortable with every sound of pain Callan was making. He suppressed his urge for growling countless times. Even his wolf was whining within him.

"I need to go for a run father. My wolf needs out, I will be back as soon as possible. Please take care of Garrick." His father nodded curtly. Einar took one last glance at the pained look of Callan before he turned and paced away into the safer part of the woods.

****

Garrick was unconscious and had lost a lot of blood. Both Garrick and Callan were placed in two separate beds juxtaposed at a handful of distance. Garrick and Callan's parents were besides their boys while the healers were treating the young lads. Though Garrick was in a grave danger than Callan, the situation would soon change because of Garrick's healing power as a wolf. But on the other hand Callan had to endure all the pain for days to come until he is fit to carry out his regular activities. This worried him even more. His leg would prove an obstacle in his training sessions and his father would be disappointed. Once again.

"What's the status lady Odile?" Alpha asked the petite woman with curls who was checking Garrick at the moment.

"Garrick would be fine Alpha. Its Callan I'm worried about."

"What do you mean by that? Please explain yourself."

"Garrick's healing power comes from his wolf, in fact the process has already begun; but Callan has no shifter spirit in him so his recovery is unprecedented. His left foot has been wounded and he has lost a lot of blood, however my concern here is his leg. I fear he might have dislocated his bone or may even have broken it."

Simultaneous gasps of pity and shock ringed the entire room. Mary was in tears the entire time.

"Do everything you can Odile, but make sure the boy is healthy and fine."

"I'll try my best Alpha."

"Justus, Umberto I need to discuss some urgent matters with you. Come with me."

With that the Alpha and his men left the room, leaving behind the boys and the ladies. Lady Odile was the head healer of the entire pack. She served the important people of the clan, but Callan somehow felt uncomfortable near her. He wanted someone who knows him, who could comfort him.

He wanted his friend.

"Lady Odile, could you please inform Aurora about the situation." Callan requested the head healer.

"Of course, my dear boy. In fact Aurora is on her way as we speak. She went to collect some herbs for you."

Aurora was another healer who worked in the pack. But unlike other healers Aurora knew some magic. She was a part witch. She had been always fond of the little boy since his birth. Children of Callan's age were really not interested to be friends with him. Therefore he sought solace in Aurora and confided in her. She had a pleasing and charming personality. When Justus told him that they were shifting base, Callan was upset but at the same time relieved that he would be living in a place where he would be accepted, he could make new friends with other shifters and humans as also he would be near Aurora's house as well. This brought a smile on his face.

Callan was interrupted from his thought process when he heard the Alpha son's voice. He was standing at the door having a conversation with the healer. He slowly entered the room and stole glances at Callan. He then moved on the other side of the room where his friend was sleeping. Callan wanted to thank Einar for saving his life, but he did not know how to broach the subject. Whenever Callan wanted to talk to the boy he either would turn away or make himself busy by doing some random chore. After a while the room became empty except for Einar, Callan and an unconscious Garrick.

"I need to speak to you Einar." Callan took it upon himself to start a conversation. Hearing his name from Callan sent shivers through Einar's body, he was confused but equally delighted nonetheless. He fixated his gaze on Callan.

"I'm all ears."

"I-I wanted to thank you for saving my life. Had it not been you or your cloudy thing, I would have been reduced to ashes."

"You were not afraid of my other form!" Einar's interest was piqued, he raised his eyebrows in astonishment, somehow he was interested to know Callan's answer.

"No. As a matter of fact I thought your other form was simply captivating."

Einar was delighted and relieved to know that Callan was not afraid of him. Since the incident, the pack members have been wary of Einar. They were afraid and scared of him, he could see fear in their eyes, they were avoiding him like a plague. Like he would burst at any moment or harm anyone. But not Callan. He was happy that Callan liked him; his other form. But why does it matter to him in the first place? Why should Callan's approval of him bring joy and content to Einar?

Why?

"So.... Thank you." Callan extended his hand in appreciation for Einar to shake. Einar was in two minds, he looked straight at the hand of Callan and then into his eyes. He was happy, he had a grin on his face and slowly moved his left hand to meet Callan's right.

"Cally....."

Einar's grin turned into a frown when a beautiful lady with long black hair entered the room when he was just about to touch the boy. She was wearing a blue long gown with wristlets and even her adornments were unique. She quickly put aside the pots she was carrying and went over to Callan and embraced him, much to the distaste of Einar.

"Oh Cally. Please don't do this stupid thing again. Fighting a dragon on your own! What were you thinking!" She playfully smacked Callan's arm. Einar frowned again.

"I have brought some mixture of radish, bishop wort, wormwood, crop leek and Garlick. You just have to apply to your wounds and your pain would be relieved."

"Alright. Stay with me, I feel less anxious when you are near." Einar felt hurt and betrayed by Callan's words.

"Of course my darling. I will always be with you my little handsome boy." She ruffled Callan's hair and put her right palm on Callan's cheek.

Einar was furious all of a sudden. Every touch the female made to Callan chafed Einar more and more.

He growled.

Aurora realized that she had company and looked to the source of the sound. Einar frowned and pursed his lips. Aurora could not understand what was causing Einar's ire to grow.

"What happened Einar?" Callan was curios.

Einar calmed his features when the women lifted her hands off Callan. Aurora noticed the change.

"I don't know, my wolf is behaving abrupt."

Aurora saw the look in the face of Einar when he was talking to Callan. She saw admiration and delight in his eyes.

"Hello, Son of Alpha." Aurora bowed in respect, but hearing her voice made Einar frown again. Aurora could not help but notice that something was bothering the future Alpha. She quickly moved away from Callan and went near Garrick to inspect him. She even applied her medicines and herbs to Garrick's wounds and would steal glances at Einar very often. She noticed that he was indifferent when she was near Garrick.

Something came across Auroras mind. A realization.

She was back on Callan's side to test her assumptions.

"Your body needs to cool down a bit. Otherwise you may fall ill." She reached for Callan's shirt and undid his buttons ever so slowly and with a side glance observed the reaction of Einar. He was fuming.

She went even further and gave a light kiss on Callan's hair and to his cheeks.

This infuriated Einar like anything. His wolf was restless and wanted out. He wanted to slaughter the women; behead her. He growled ferociously. Aurora jumped from her seat away to the walls while Callan was confused with Einar's behavior.

"Are you alright?" Callan could not understand Einar's mood swings. He was again calm and composed when he saw Callan. It was confusing. It was exhausting.

"I-uh-I need to go." He swiftly moved out of the doors to the main gate towards the woods. While back in the room Aurora was grinning with victory.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Oh. Its nothing." But in contrast Aurora had concluded something for which she was happy.+

Happy for Callan.